Cohabing womas?

[ophidile]

I've admired womas for years, but am only just now getting one A baby girl, though I plan to get a male next season. There really aren't all that many caresheets out there, but enough that I think I'm fairly prepared. I have one question though; one of the first caresheets that pops up on google on Alex Hugh Reptiles forum (originally from Python Pete, I think, but the link looks broken) cites cohabing womas

We provide a thermal gradient with them as with all our reptiles, offering a basking spot up to 88 degrees F with the cool end of the cage in the mid to low 70's. We keep them in small groups of 3 to 4 animals in a cage but seperate them for feeding. We had bi-level cages constructed with heat panels providing overhead heat in the top and heat tape providing bottom heat in the drawers.

I've kept and bred cornsnakes for about eight years now, and I was under the impression that cohabing is frowned upon for any snake species. Is this not so for womas? I'd like to build a big nice display cage for my girl this summer, and could design it for cohab or as a split... the best aesthetic is whatever the animal enjoys most in by book. Anyone have an opinion on this?

Thanks!

 

[Clay Davenport]

I generally discourage cohabitating snakes for pretty much all species.
That being said, womas will get along together just fine as long as they are separated for feeding and a short time afterwards. Getting along and not killing each other doesn't necessarily mean a low stress existence though. Snakes forced to be in close contact with other snakes, competing for hide areas or basking sites, will never be as comfortable as a snake housed singly.
Another big issue is breeding. Successful breeding will be hindered if the snakes live together year round.

Overall, I would recommend housing them separately. Just because they can live together and be healthy physically doesn't mean it's the best option.

 

[MikeCurtin]

I agree...I house everything individually unless breeding.

 

[ophidile]

Alright, that's about what I thought. I only wondered at the conventional individual housing since the first caresheet that came up mentioned keeping them in groups XD
Thanks!!! I will design a split (separated) enclosure

 

[MikeCurtin]

Python Pete's been around forever, so it's possible the care sheet is an older one. I've had great success following Splitrock Reptiles' Blackheaded Python care sheet. The requirements are virtually identical, and the results are great!

Look at this skinny guy chasing the fat fattie!